Exceptional Permissions
Exceptional Permissions
Despite extensive modification measures it is not possible to change a US-car with justifiable financial and technical effort in such a way that it fully meets the regulations of the EU or the registration directives of the StVZO (Road Traffic Licensing Regulations). That’s why the registration authorities grant so-called exceptional permissions for specific directives your imported vehicle should comply with but is not able to, so that it may still be registered.
An example for a granted exceptional permission is the missing automatic headlamp levelling system of vehicles with the 1st January 1990 as their initial registration date. That way the owner does not need to make any expensive modifications.
In Baden-Wurttemberg, the authority in charge, the regional council, has delegated the granting of exceptional permissions to the local road traffic authorities / registration offices. Yet this only applies to “common” exceptional cases recurring very often. For all other exceptions, the owner needs to apply for an exceptional permission at the regional council. This administrative procedure is carried out within the scope of the registration of the vehicle and is not free of fees, of course.
There is a scale of charges and fees concerning exceptional permissions leaving plenty of room for the authorities. Theoretically, they may charge you between €10 and € 500 for a single exceptional permission for about 6-10 exceptions for a relatively new vehicle from the USA.
In practice, the authorities will stay within reasonable limits, though.
For instance:
- per exceptional case: €50
- up to 3 exceptional cases: €100
- more than 3 exceptional cases: € 150
For a precise specification of fees, simply go and ask your registration office in charge.